Papua New Guinea University of Technology Opening Academic Year, 3rd of February 2014: video address by the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Albert Schram

Youtube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOyjVV9p8Po

Dr. Albert Schram in Australia

This is my video address to all Students, Professional Staff, and Faculty of the Papua New Guinea University of Technology at the start of the academic year 2014.

Today, we are exited and delighted to welcome over 900 new students from all over Papua New Guinea and several from other Pacific Islands to UNITECH. This is almost 10% more than last year, and the largest number of incoming students in UNITECH's 48 year history. As Vice-Chancellor, it is a special pleasure for me to say to all incoming first year students: "Welcome to UNITECH!".

Put interest of students first (Post-Courier 29 Jan. 2014)

(Any disruption at UNITECH at the start of the year would therefore the responsibility of the Minister of HERST, David Arore. AS)

Welcome to Post-Courier: Editorial

IT IS unfortunate that the crisis which came close to shutting Papua New Guinea’s second largest educational institution – the University of Technology – remains unresolved and could potentially disrupt the 2014 academic year.

Last year the controversy over the academic credentials of the Unitech Vice Chancellor Dr Albert Schram came close to forcing the closure of the institution after the former university council alleged that he falsified his qualifications. The struggle between the council and the VC eventually led to court proceedings and then his sacking and later deportation.

Unitech staff want report out (Post Courier 24 Jan. 2014)

(For the record: I have never written or said anywhere I have doctorate in economics. My CV is public in my LinkedIn profile. My doctorate is in economic and business history. I know the difference, those who interviewed me apparently not.

It is just one of the silly allegations which have been made in my regard, and for which no evidence was found in the Sevua Investigation. Release the Sevua Investigation, and let those responsible for continuing this saga take political responsibility for the debacle. AS)

Original: Unitech staff want report out
January 24,2014, 01:52 am
By HAIVETA KIVIA

STAFF associations at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology are suggesting that the saga surrounding the sacking of its vice chancellor Dr Albert Schram is far from over.

26 January 2014: UNITECH Staff Organisations give common Press Statement

Mr. Justin Kehatsin - President National Staff Association

Original: Silence on UNITECH saga by government is deafening

SILENCE ON UNITECH SAGA BY GOVERNMENT IS DEAFENING

The Unitech saga which started two years ago is far from over. National Academic Staff Association (NASA) and National Staff Association (NSA) executives are worried whether the commencement of the academic year 2014 will be smooth or whether there will be more turbulence on the way.

The Unitech saga: a serious impingement upon academic freedom - Keith Jackson & Friends: PNG ATTITUDE

UNITECH "Europa Haus" IT Building

Original: The Unitech saga: a serious impingement upon academic freedom - Keith Jackson & Friends: PNG ATTITUDE

MONTHS OF CONFUSION about who is responsible for straightening out the management mess at the University of Technology (Unitech) by members of the public, students and staff now extends to Higher Education Minister David Arore, whose 20 December statement on EMTV news regarding the vice chancellor indicated that some basics of Unitech governance need to be explained.

In his television statement, Minister Arore said he had terminated vice chancellor Dr Albert Schram and that a new vice chancellor would be appointed.

From Papua New Guinea Blogs: Recent Legal Confusions in the UNITECH Saga and Implications for the UNITECH Council

(Here it is explained why Minister HERST David Arore massively overstepped his authority when he instructed Council. It is polite to say he was confused.

Like at other universities, the UNITECH guarantees institutional autonomy, in order to avoid the destructive political interference we have seen in the past year.

It also has a dual governance structure with a Council and an Academic Board, which means that the Council has no power over academic matters.  Even the meeting dates of the Council, for example, are established by the Academic Board. All this is done in order to warrant academic freedom. AS)

Original: Papua New Guinea Blogs: Recent Legal Confusions in the UNITECH Saga and Implications for the UNITECH Council

Tuesday, January 7, 2014
By PNG PATRIOT


UNITECH, Europa Haus, IT building

Months of confusion about who is responsible for straightening out the management mess at UNITECH by members of the public, students and staff of UNITECH now extends to Minister David Arore. His 20 December public statement on EM-TV news regarding the Vice Chancellor indicates that some basics of UNITECH governance need to be explained.

From Papua New Guinea Blogs: MINISTER DAVID ARORE’S STRONG IMPACT ON PAPUA NEW GUINEA’S HIGHER EDUCATION

Original: Papua New Guinea Blogs: MINISTER DAVID ARORE’S STRONG IMPACT ON PAPUA NEW GUINEA’S HIGHER EDUCATION
Saturday, January 4, 2014
PNGBLOGS

Middle class professionals from “awaraland” have complained quietly for years about Ijivitari MP David Arore. Now that the criticisms have spread nationally and touch PNGBLOGS, we did some research and interviews to explore why they have surfaced.

December 2013: most read posts

The post on the petitions to save UNITECH was by far the most read post last month. With the UNITECH matter firmly in the public eye, more traffic is to be expected in January.

Please sign petitions to help save Unitech | Act N... Dec 29, 2013
199

From Papua New Guinea Blogs: Now we know why Peter...
Dec 9, 2013
83 

Report into troubled Unitech will not be made publ...
Dec 11, 2013
53

Flicker of hope is seen in long-running Schram aff...
Dec 13, 2013
53

From Papua New Guinea Blogs: Papua New Guinea’s Si...
Dec 10, 2013
51 

Unitech Saga: Report to Be Released After Festive ...
Dec 20, 2013
38